(CNN)-Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann may have announced her bid for the 2012 GOP nomination for president well into the second fundraising quarter, but she still managed to outpace competitors.

Bachmann will report $4.2 million in contributions to the Federal Election Commission for the second quarter, according to a Friday release. Reports for the second quarter were due to be filed Friday.
Almost half the amount to be reported by Bachmann, $2 million dollars, was transferred from her congressional account. The rest was raised in more than 88,000 contributions that averaged $48.00 each. Funds raised for federal campaigns can be transferred from one federal account to another according to FEC guidelines. Funds raised by political action committees, or PACs, cannot be transferred to campaign coffers.

Bachmann, a tea party darling who's recently faced both acclaim and criticism, has $3.6 million in cash to spend on her presidential campaign efforts.

But she didn't manage to catch up with frontrunner Mitt Romney, who is well ahead in the money race. He reported $18.25 million in campaign contributions for the second quarter.

Fundraising reports aren't so positive for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

While more GOP candidates have announced at least $1 million in fundraising, Gingrich reported that his campaign is $1 million dollars in debt.

Almost half of his debt can be attributed to traveling by private plane since Gingrich racked up a $451,946 bill to an air charter company also used by the Republican National Committee.

Though his campaign faced early hurdles including the departure of 16 staff members reportedly over differences with their candidate, Gingrich still reported $2 million in donations for the second quarter.

He has cash on hand to continue pursuing a presidential bid –$322,222, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

soundoff(23 Responses)

The Greedy Old Pigs have lost their minds!

So basically Bachmann is neck and neck with Paul and way behind Romney on money.

July 15, 2011 07:27 pm at 7:27 pm |

Thaw

The GOP party do not have anyone who could be President. The people who they do have do not seem to have the intelligence or indeed the knowledge to even begin making a bid for the Presidency. At the moment the GOP are a group of people who seem to be acting like a bunch of children at a kindergarton party. Grow up GOP or get out.

July 15, 2011 07:33 pm at 7:33 pm |

A disillusioned Republican

Neither one of these blowhards has a chance to win the republican nomination much less the election. They will contribute to global warming with all the hot air they exude.

July 15, 2011 07:49 pm at 7:49 pm |

GOP = Greed Over People

1 million in debt? Oh, my!

Maybe Tiffany's will give you an advance on your account.

But, wait, that would max out your account and what would you use to pay off your 'hos so the little woman wouldn't know?

From what I have seen and heard, about that walking cadaver you call a wife(who knew they could embalm hair?), she does not appear to be very charitable.

Guess you will have to double up on those book and DVD sales at those "fundraisers" and I suggest you keep it in a separate account, wait, a serial adulterer such as yourself certainly does not need any advice on how to cheat on his wives!

I am such a big silly!

July 15, 2011 07:52 pm at 7:52 pm |

Sandy

"Almost half of his debt can be attributed to traveling by private plane since Gingrich racked up a $451,946 bill to an air charter company also used by the Republican National Committee. "

BWAAAAAAAAA! Newt was living large! lol

Now we see why Repubs don't want to take away those tax breaks for private jets.

July 15, 2011 07:54 pm at 7:54 pm |

Mike Dallas

Yo' Newt, just do what Bailin' Palin did, open an account at Neiman's and let the RNC pay the tab.

July 15, 2011 08:04 pm at 8:04 pm |

thomas

Now she can start her own church of robots , and Newt can pay off his crown at Tiffanys !

She won't win. She may get picked as a VP choice of whichever white man wins, but we've already seen that movie.

July 15, 2011 08:30 pm at 8:30 pm |

Clwyd

I want to believe that Americans aren't that stupid and that they don't all live in Iowa. If you have ever dealt with Michelle you'd know that she is now showing her sane face rather then her insane face, like when she screams at older couples who don't like her stand on the issues at the Minnesota State Fair than then runs cussing at them!

July 15, 2011 09:06 pm at 9:06 pm |

Tex71

If Michele Bachmann had Newt Gingrich's baby, in a few decades it would be able to appeal to both the ignorant xenophobic religious fanatics and the recklessly self-indulgent hypocritical egomaniacs. Then again, If Bachmann and Gingrich ever had a baby it would probably be time to call an exorcist.

July 15, 2011 09:29 pm at 9:29 pm |

Alex

Michele Bachmann is the anti-christ.

July 15, 2011 10:18 pm at 10:18 pm |

lgny

Gingrytch: Gotta love a candidate who preaches fiscal responsibility and then runs a major deficit by flying private charter jets. Do as I say, not as I do!

July 15, 2011 10:28 pm at 10:28 pm |

LouAz

A vote for Frau Backmann is a vote for christian sharia law for the USA. A vote for Marrying Newt is a vote for . . . ?

July 15, 2011 11:55 pm at 11:55 pm |

D-Nice

Awww. poor newt. What a buffoon!

July 16, 2011 01:00 am at 1:00 am |

noGOPfan

While I am no fan of any GOPer this go round, it is so pleasing to see Gingrinch suffering so. Its almost embarrassing to watch him pull the Guliani. Its put up or shut up time and he is totally failing. : )

July 16, 2011 01:02 am at 1:02 am |

Palin Power

At the end of the day, Sarah Palin will be our next President and Michelle Bachmann will be her successor. Palin will outraise all the GOP competition AND break Obozo's fundraising records. This country needs President Palin for only she has the power to completely fix this economy and financial mess. She will drive Unemployment and our national debt DOWN TO ZERO!

July 16, 2011 01:45 am at 1:45 am |

diridi

Both of these figures are "Idiots" "stupid". o.k,

July 16, 2011 07:50 am at 7:50 am |

Martha in CF

I can't imagine Bachmann running the country. The only female I would entrust to that job would be Hilary Clinton. Bachmann IS a flake.

July 16, 2011 08:44 am at 8:44 am |

RepublicanHater1

Bachman's time is getting short, once her husband's gay tendecies become public she will cash like a wingless bird.........goodby Miss Nazi

July 16, 2011 09:08 am at 9:08 am |

Bubba

Music to my ears. There would be nothing better than this person being the Republican candidate in the next election. McCain opened the door for "Reality show" candidates with Palin and the true nature of the Republican party is surfacing. Maybe a Bachmann-Cantor ticket? The road to hell is also paved with bad intentions.

July 16, 2011 09:41 am at 9:41 am |

sara

I have to ask, Americans, "Can you imagine this women and her husband, ( that calls Americans Barbarians) walking the marble floors of the greatist cymbal 0f America "The White House"???? These are the floors where Great Presidents like Lincohn, Washington,Truman, ect, True heroes of our nations history!!! Absolute Insanity????? I would leave my great country if that would happen! I would be to embarrassed to call myself american to the world!!!! WOW

July 16, 2011 10:08 am at 10:08 am |

Donkey Party

The GOP "Grossly Offensive Persons" field of yahoos is a mockery of our political system and electorate. Do voters really think any of these GOP flakes have any real solutions? Have Americans become that stupid? Really??